GREEN ISSUES
13 Jul 07. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency chastised Tucson-based Raytheon Co. and the U.S. Air Force on Friday for continued contamination near a water treatment center serving 50,000 people. The plume of contaminated groundwater was found near the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund Site, where Raytheon and the Air Force share a 1,365-acre facility called Air Force Plant 44.
Jul 07. A German soil decontamination centre has recruited a JCB wheeled loading shovel to single-handedly work through the 50,000 tons of earth it processes every year. The JCB 456e ZX was purchased by centre owner Biburg to move contaminated soil through several processes that turn it into a clean recycled product for use in the construction industry. Soil contaminated with oil, construction waste, broken asphalt, foundry sands or harmful contaminants is taken to the centre, in Regensburg, where it goes through a washing process. This involves water and chemicals being used to break up the soil and separate it from the contaminants. Featuring a 3.5 cubic metre shovel capacity, the machine is extremely powerful and reliable, with high tipping load (15,106kg) and extraordinary tractive power as well as a fully automatic transmission. This ensures quick loading cycles, controlled with extreme sensitivity via state-of-the-art servo valves and load sensing hydraulics. With a three-cubic metre interior, the machine’s cab, designed for comfort, is the largest in its class. The machine comes as standard with an automatic bucket return mechanism and adjustable hoist height limiter.